I got a little poke from Jesus last week to take a look at the book of First Timothy. I've read it before certainly, and many of my favorite verses come from the letters Paul wrote to his young friend whom he had personally mentored and knew even as a young boy. Timothy grew up to be a pastor, and 1 & 2 Timothy contain a lot of practical advice for those who are involved in ministry. Some favorite words I've followed since I was in my teen years are recorded in 1 Timothy 4:12 where Paul says, Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. And I often pass these words along to my younger readers, encouraging them to truly heed Paul's words and not allow their age to be a barrier to being all they can be in Christ.
Last week I was reading some other instructions Paul wrote to Timothy. I had included his words in one of my latest books and was reminded of the vital truth as I was proofreading the final draft. This is when Jesus gave me that little "poke" and said, You should read this book from the beginning. I have something to show you. So the following day I began reading First Timothy, but I didn't have to read far to see what Jesus wanted to show me. Verse five stood out like a lion at a cat show. It is written above in the English Standard Version, but I was reading the New Living (NLT), which says it like this:
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
And in doing a little research I came across another wording I really like: But the goal of our instruction is love... (NASB)
Purpose, aim, goal...all of these really spoke to me. It made me wonder if the primary goal of the Church is to produce people who love; and, are we ourselves primarily bearing the fruit of love? Not just as a Christian duty, or a command (which several versions use), or as a part of our faith; but rather the outcome of our faith.
In doing a little word study, I concluded this way of thinking was Paul's intent. The end result of believing the Good News should be love. This is what Jesus points us toward. This is why He calls us to follow Him. This is His message: Love God, and love others as yourself; But He knows it's not something we can possess within ourselves. It's not something for us to muster up, try harder, or strive for. It doesn't say: make it your goal to love more. Paul is saying, however, that the end result of a purified heart, a clean conscience, and sincere faith should be God-like love oozing out of our renewed souls.
Why would that be, do you suppose? I asked myself this question and thought about how each of these elements effects my testimony and the way I share it. When I share Jesus and spiritual truths with others, am I showing them love or just sharing information? Paul doesn't say the goal is to make others understand our theology. His purpose wasn't to argue, discuss, or waste time with meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God. (1:4 NLT)
Paul knew the most effective testimony came instead from a purified heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. A purified heart is one that has pure motives. Motives of love, goodness, and giving others hope. Motives that come from what I have experienced in following Jesus myself, including a clear conscience and experiencing His faithfulness.
Have I allowed Him to purify my heart? Is it filled with love for God, others, and myself; or is it dominated by anger, bitterness, judgement, and self-scrutiny? Even one of these can cripple a heart from showing genuine love. Anger toward God or others is a train-wreck waiting to happen. Bitterness is a fuse for a time-bomb. Judging others does no good whatsoever and often causes destruction and road-blocks. And even if you give grace freely to others, that doesn't mean you do the same with yourself.
We are often told to show more love, to be more like Christ, to put aside self-interest. But these things are impossible without a complete understanding of how and why we are able to love. It doesn't come from us. It comes from Him. It's a result of how He purifies me with His mercy and forgiveness and wraps me in His perfect love and security. This is my faith. This is what He gives to me. This is what He died and rose again for me to have. And when I truly believe that and receive His love for me completely, unconditionally, and know it's forever and everything I could possibly need; It's then I can love others with the same sacrificial, giving, and love-filled heart.
If you feel you're falling short of loving others with Christ-like love: family, friends, strangers, enemies; something besides His love is consuming your heart. What is it?
...Unbelief of your value to Him?
...Shortsightedness in His perfect plan for you?
...The need to be self-sufficient, strong, and in control?
...Constantly feeling defeated, discouraged, and powerless?
It might seem unrelated, but the only way to turn the corner on any of the above is to believe more fully in...
...His love (including His protection, care, and provision)
...His forgiveness (mercy and healing)
...His grace (unmerited blessings--you don't have to "earn" them)
...And especially, your need for it all
If your belief in these is lacking, don't feel guilty. Feel desperate for more! Feel broken, but also feel...
...Loved
...Valued
...Set-free
...Safe
...and His
The goal of my instruction is for you to believe more fully in His love for you, and therefore to be a representative of that love to everyone around you. And I hope I'm succeeding.
Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from [Him]...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they too can believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:14-16 NLT)
Photo scripture quotation from The ESV Bible, copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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